massindex

I would taper down the Thursday run to just a walk in order to stretch out your muscles. At this point in you training, recovery time is the most important part of success and staying injury free.

I've seen it the other way where things I used to crave I can no longer stand. It seems reasonable to go the other way also.

My wife was VERY supportative with me having the surgery and we planned all along that she would be sleeved next. She was sleeved 2 1/2 months ago and has since lost 40 pounds. We can go out and order a meal for one to share and still have leftovers!

Congratulations! It's a GREAAAT feeling!

No problems here with coffee although I did stay off it for the first 8 weeks post op. Now I have at least one cup (more often more than that) a day.

I still keep a food journal just so I don't get off track and I'm below my goal weight. It is so easy to cheat one day and then again the next and so on. Food journals are a reminder to me that watching what you eat is a life long step in keeping off the weight. (It also helps me in exercise and training to know what works and what doesn't). To your question, I agree that fluids and Protein are the only things you have to worry about. Research the highest protein per calories/ounce items and it will help (seafood items like scallops and shrimp were easiest for me at your point because they were relatively soft).

You are doing great! I made myself some goals when I started this to keep me focused on hitting my weight loss goal and that's what worked for me. This is one of those items. Keep going and you'll be at your goals soon enough!

Congratulations! We knew you would be OK! And I bet you had fun the whole time too from what it sounds like...

I've got a 56th birthday coming in June and my wife has to go to San Diego for some work projects so I've decided to knock off one of my bucket list items by going with her. My bucket list choice of poison is a Century Ride (100K or 62 miles), I was wondering if anyone was interested in attempting the fete with me? The information can be found here (http://www.shadowtour.com/Subnav/Course_Maps/Fiesta_Metric.htm). Other than one relatively steep incline, the course looks promising. I'm not out to set any records and any one can turn back at any point if they don't feel like they can make it. I'm going to attempt this a week after another triathlon I'm currently training for so I don't have any expectation other than just trying to finish in under 5 hours. Let me know if anyone is interested and maybe we can meet up there.

I work out 5 days a week as follows for my triathlons. My long course swims are open water swims of 1-2 miles depending on what I'm working on and the bike rides are 33 mile rides I have on a loop. Runs are not so much for distance but I'll do interval work (fartleks) to work on my speed. Your body just needs time to recover so it's best to let it rest completely. Run - 45 minutes Swim - 1 hour (Long Course) Off Swim - 1 hour (Long Course) Run - 45 minutes Bike - 2 hours Make-up Day

This shouldn't affect you too much unless you try to favor it some. Try keeping the tension out of your hands by putting your thumb on the middle outside knuckle of your forefinger while you move your arms in your motion. The cupping of your hand will help prevent tightening your muscles in your shoulder.

I did the Color Run here in Las Vegas and my wife, who was sleeved 4 weeks before it, walked it with my son. It was a blast! No timing and the spirit is just to have fun (although I'm a little competitive and timed my run).

What's the worse that can happen? You walk part of it? A DNF? Don't sweat it. Just go out and have a good time...

My wife just went through this a few weeks also. She's now 9 weeks post. It started when she ate chicken, going from soft to regular foods. It just takes some time. She went back to protein drinks for a few days, adding in Jell-o and then we added pureed foods a little at a time. If it stays with you move than a few days, see your doctor.

At this stage, make sure you get the fluids. The protein will come and you'll find your way. For me, it was greek yogurt. Never liked it before the surgery but my taste buds changed and now I love it.

Dooter - I'm not worthy of being singled out here but if it helps someone realize that they too can hit their goal, then mount me on a wall . Lessons learned and mistakes made make this a great topic for us 200+ers.

The one thing I think I can add is don't over do it. Start slowly, especially at the beginning. Injuries will set you back and make you want to give up. A couple of miles walking at a time will soon become three miles and so on. And allow for at least 2 days a week off, one of them a weekend day if you can. In the beginning, it may be every other day or so until your muscles get use to this. I hated exercise and just started to do it because I had goals and dates on what I wanted to lose by a certain date. Eventually, it became something I couldn't do without (my wife says I've become addicted, but she loves the results). I get a rush and it makes me feel great.

Jumped on the scale last night after a particularlly brutal triathlon yesterday (bike leg was 15 miles, mostly uphill and into a 30 mph wind) and I hit my goal weight, 200 pounds for my 6'4" frame. It took me more than 14 months to lose 227 pounds but it was well worth it and those last few pounds seemed to never move. What a great journey. I took out a pair of my size 56 waist pants I kept as a reminder and put them next to the size 32 waist jeans I wear now. I could fit two of me into the old pants. I'm never going to go back. I finally ilke the new me.

You know if you keep chatting and being bubbly, people will just assume that you are in a talkative mood and too busy to eat also...

Uhh, does shooting targets count?

As one of those 200+ers out there, I just want you to find hope in my story. I've had a number of knee operations over the years, mostly related to athletic injuries, and they allowed me to use the knee pain as an excuse so avoid the work I needed to get into some kind of shape (other than round ). In no way was it as severe as osteoarthritis but I still used it as an excuse and allowed myself to excuse my gain weight. As the weight gain got worse, so did my knee issues. I was looking at knee replacements but I knew, in my case, that it was more related to weight gain so I kept putting it off and dealing with the pain. Eventually, as the rest of my health deteriorated, WLS became the solution to address my problems. As I lost weight, I gained energy and I wanted to lose more. Losing more meant exercise and I started with walking. I enjoyed it and got hooked. Being competitive, I looked for an outlet to challenge myself. I've found it and each of you will too. 200+ is a lot to lose. In fact you will lose 1/2 of yourself in this process but gain so much more than you can imagine. Good luck and we are here to support you.

Hate to be the voice of reason but soda, like any liquid, helps with hydration so it does have a purpose. I have issues with the carbonation so I open cans and let them sit in the refrigerator and go flat. In a pinch you can stir the soda (not all sodas react the same) in ice and the CO2 will release and go flat. Just remember, all things in moderation.

I won't say that didn't have regrets that first week in that I had to have surgery to fix a "weakness" with me. I also recognized that without it, I was heading down a path of destruction. I began to look at it like getting mental health assistance with depression. I just needed something to get me over the hill. I know I would have lapses but for the surgery. With the help of the surgery and determination, my life is 1000 times better now than it was a little more than 13 months ago.

I've run two half marathons this year already and you should look up fern. She has done one and is doing 4 more this year. She can offer a number of tips. You WILL run into special challenges, primarily from our inability to consume calories like others and even though we are taught protein, protein, and more protein, you will need carbs to complete the race. Best of luck and rock your sleeves!